After his recent win at the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz is touted by many tennis fans as becoming the next Rafael Nadal.
Carlos Alcaraz is now the number 1 player in the world with a bright career ahead of him.
I have put together the below guide with the goal of helping tennis fans find out what tennis racket Carlos Alcaraz actually plays with on the ATP tour.
What Racket Does Carlos Alcaraz play with?
At first glance, many tennis fans think Carlos Alcaraz plays with the same tennis racket as his compatriot Rafael Nadal i.e. the Babolat Pure Aero Tennis Racket.
However, he actually plays with the Babolat Pure Aero VS, which is a more control focused tennis racket in the Pure Aero range.
Earlier in his career, Carlos Alcaraz used the regular Pure Aero but made the switch to the VS as it better suited his game.
Carlos Alcaraz Racket Specs
The racket specs detailed below are for the retail version of Carlos Alcaraz’s racket, but it is likely that Alcaraz’s actual racket is customized somewhat.
| Racket Specs | Babolat Pure Aero VS |
|---|---|
| Head Size: | 98 Inches |
| Racket Length: | 27 inches |
| Strung Weight: | 320 grams |
| String Pattern: | 16 x 20 |
| Swingweight: | 321 |
| Balance: | 6 pts HL |
| Stiffness Rating: | 67 |
| Beam Width: | 21mm / 23mm / 22mm |
| Swing Style Required: | You need a long and fast swing |
| Power Level: | Low powered racket |
| Recommended Level: | Advanced player (not recommended for beginners) |
Leave a message in our Facebook group if you have details of the racket specs for Carlos Alcaraz’s racket.
What Grip Size does Carlos Alcaraz use?
Carlos Alcaraz uses a 4 and 1/4 grip size with an overgrip on his tennis rackets which is also used by other tennis pros like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
As mentioned in my article on Roger Federer’s Tennis Racket, just because tennis pros like Carlos Alcaraz use a 4 and 1/4 grip size, that doesn’t mean it is right for you too.
It is important that you choose a grip size that suits you as using a grip size that is too big or too small can lead to injuries.
For help in choosing the correct grip size, check out our tennis grip sizes guide.
Does Carlos Alcaraz play with a Vibration Dampener?
No, Carlos Alcaraz does not currently play with a vibration dampener on his tennis racket.
For a list of pro players that do use a vibration dampener, check out our article on which tennis pros use dampeners.
How does Carlos Alcaraz string his Tennis Racket?
Like his compatriot Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz strings his racket with Babolat RPM blast in the crosses and the mains.
Should You buy the Babolat Pure Aero VS Tennis Racket?
The Babolat Pure Aero VS is best suited to more advanced tennis players as it is a low powered with a relatively small sweet spot.
If you are an advanced tennis player who is looking for an advanced tennis racket that offers good spin potential and control, then the Babolat Pure Aero VS is a good option.
However, if are a beginner to intermediate player who is looking for a tennis racket that looks and feels similar to Carlos Alcaraz’s racket then I think the regular Pure Aero is a better option for the average recreational player.